This article was originally published December 2020. It has been updated to provide more current information.
Are you ready for a new bathroom, fireplace or kitchen remodel, or thinking about trendy barn doors and wood-look tile? Take your time picking a contractor. Avoid hiring the first local home remodeling contractor that provides you with a quote. Often, hiring a home remodeling contractor without due diligence leads to regret.
So, take your time. Hire the right local home remodeling contractor for the work you need to be done. Just follow these steps.
Research Online and In-Person
Did you spend hours shopping for appliances, flooring, fixtures, and lighting online and in stores? It would be best if you spent at least that much time and effort researching the local home remodeling pool. Call, text, and email friends, family, and neighbors who hired a local contractor within the last 2 years.
Many contractors place a sign in the yard of the home where they are doing work. So, when you see those signs, reach out to the homeowner. Ring the doorbell and ask about the work being performed. Afraid to ring the bell? Then write a note and leave it at the door. Provide the homeowner with your name, phone number, and email along with the best times to talk. Let them know you just want a little feedback.
Always remember to ask about the work that was done. Because a contractor installing barn doors requires a different skill set than those needed for kitchen remodels. Gain insight into the contractor’s subcontractor network by asking about the full scope of work.
Don’t Compare Apples to Oranges and Oranges to Lemons
Make sure your three quotes represent the same scope of work with the same quality material. Otherwise, it is impossible to compare the quotes. Try to give each local home remodeling contractor the same specifications and scope of work you desire. Get as granular as possible, including drawings, materials, and preferred products. Otherwise, the three contractors will bid based on the products they commonly use. And when it comes to the final price, assumptions play a big role.
Get a complete list of materials included in the work. Make sure you know how the contractor calculated the allowance for overages. If overages aren’t included, find out why. Who pays? You can be sure it won’t be the contractor! When a quote appears much lower than the others, the devil is in the details. This contractor wants you to purchase certain fixtures or lighting and will just provide the labor.
Ensure quotes for custom cabinets include the same quality construction from the same materials.
Make sure all bids include applicable permit fees and requires the local home contractor to be responsible for the permit. Any contractor that asks you to pull a permit has a problem with their license.
Verify License and Insurance
After you narrow down the list of contractors, start checking their background.
Check the general contractor’s license online with the State of California. Use this link https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx and type in the name of the contractor. You will find out if the contractor is licensed and the status of the license. When you click on the license number you can determine the status of the contractor’s bond, workmen’s compensation insurance, and the contractor’s history.
Run from any contractor without a bond or worker’s compensation insurance. Otherwise, if there is a problem, liability falls in your lap. Therefore, ensure the contractor bears responsibility for any employee or subcontractor injury on the job.
Inspired Remodels is the local home remodeling contractor to hire
Go ahead! Do your homework. Include Inspired Remodels in your research. Get to know the Orange County remodeling contractor with a stellar portfolio and integrity.